A look into the lives of two people who've died tragically from smoke inhalation
the porch steps.... -------------------------------------------
the small artist
is never remembered past the fifth of the month
when the paints are done and rent is due;
perhaps he paints a face
of a passing sister in mourning
or the creeping spanish moss growing in the mouths of the elders
or the grinko crushed between the children's toes
never will he watch the world pace
as the photographer does, sitting in the cafe
reserved for gossiping mothers
there is a woman with callow features and dark eyes
never with a child although she pats her belly fondly
as if to encourage a child to stretch from her hips to her womb
together they sit on the porch stairs
him smoking
her chasting his habit
but both watching the smoke curl around his neck
as if the caress of a weekend lover she never knew
- & one he tried to forget
A very well written poem. I found myself really seeing this scene, not only the distancing of the male and the female, but also them being comfortable in the lies they've created for each other. Very good imagery in this poem:
"pats her belly fondly as if to encourage a child to stretch from her hips to her womb"
&
"creeping Spanish moss growing in the mouths of the elders"
&
"the grinko crushed between the children's toes"
It all seems to carry some relavance to the decaying porch stairs. You didn't elaborate on the oldness of the stairs in contrast to the couple, but I was able to see that very well as if you were speaking that directly to me. I enjoyed the piece very much!
Submission Name: the porch steps....
